Stage 284's 'Our Town' was a Beautifully Mesmerizing Performance
Stage 284 bequeathed a memorable rendition of 'Our Town'
Never take a minute of life for granted. Every moment counts.
Stage 284 presented Our Town, a three-act play written by Thorton Wilder. Taking place in a small fictional town in Grover’s Corners between 1901 and 1913, audiences are regaled to a day in the life of the townsfolk. The town reflects on their lives and what life meant to them.
I am never going to forget the compelling atmosphere that I experienced at Stage 284’s adaptation of Our Town. Stage 284 bequeathed a memorable rendition of a play that I read three times in college. In this captivating interpretation, Our Town is a lesson to enjoy every moment life hands you.
A round of applause goes out to the cast of Our Town for their genuine performances. Everyone had a significant role. Grover’s Corners felt like a real town. In assembling the relationships of the characters, the cast worked extremely well together. I liked all the little quicks actors thought up for their characters.
Narrating the show, Anna Thomas, Elisabeth Thomas, and Lilia Thomas were spectacular. The trio did a great job working off each other, playing different characters.
Michaela Zullo (Emily Webb: Act 2 and 3) was astonishing. Her passionate delivery was impressive to observe. Choosing to go back to a significant moment in her life, Emily is horrified to learn how little she paid attention to life’s small moments.
The ensemble of any show has more than just one duty. There is no such thing as a small part. Each cast member uncovered a connection to their character.
As a set of families, neighbors, or townsfolk, I’m sure we can all relate to specific little moments. Again, actors did a good job solidifying their relationships to encase a real family. They did a good job studying the depths of their conversations.
Our Town does not use props. Acting like they were handing out a newspaper, using kitchen utensils, or mimicking a broom as a horse, the use of imagination is prominent. Minimal sets were used. Despite this, I felt like I was a resident of the town. Whenever a character pointed to a location, I turned my head.
Our Town has three acts. Each inhabiting a different theme, the third act is a piece of theater that I will never forget. Taking a dark turn into what is the afterlife, this scene was dictated with utmost emotion.
No show goes on without a technical crew. Casting a bright light onto the stage with fog to surmount the gothic setting, Stage 284’s Our Town achieved notable technical elements that I have ever witnessed in a show.
Glancing around at audience members, the room was silent save for a couple of sniffles and wiping tears from the eyes. Feeling tears in my own eyes from the melancholic atmosphere, the theater is all about audience reaction. We laughed, some women applauded at a significant line, and we listened intently.
In the three times that I have studied this play, Stage 284’s adaptation presented me with a completely different perspective. I have never thought about the importance of your hometown. Your hometown is special. Significant people in your town are similar to family relationships.
As described perfectly by Director Cassie Foote, the pandemic has changed so much for us. Our perspective on life has changed. Never take a moment of life for granted.
I am so thankful to have seen Stage 284’s final production of Our Town. Well done to the cast and crew for achieving emotion, integrity, and a beautifully mesmerizing story.
About the Creator
Marielle Sabbag
Writing has been my passion since I was 11 years old. I love creating stories from fiction, poetry, fanfiction. I enjoy writing movie reviews. I would love to become a creative writing teacher and leave the world inspiring minds.
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